Preview — The Widower's Tale
by Julia Glass

The Widower's Tale

In a historic farmhouse outside Boston, seventy-year-old Percy Darling is settling happily into retirement: reading novels, watching old movies, and swimming naked in his pond. His routines are disrupted, however, when he is persuaded to let a locally beloved preschool take over his barn. As Percy sees his rural refuge overrun by children, parents, and teachers, he must reIn a historic farmhouse outside Boston, seventy-year-old Percy Darling is settling happily into retirement: reading novels, watching old movies, and swimming naked in his pond. His routines are disrupted, however, when he is persuaded to let a locally beloved preschool take over his barn. As Percy sees his rural refuge overrun by children, parents, and teachers, he must reexamine the solitary life he has made in the three decades since the sudden death of his wife. No longer can he remain aloof from his community, his two grown daughters, or, to his shock, the precarious joy of falling in love.

One relationship Percy treasures is the bond with his oldest grandchild, Robert, a premed student at Harvard. Robert has long assumed he will follow in the footsteps of his mother, a prominent physician, but he begins to question his ambitions when confronted by a charismatic roommate who preaches—and begins to practice—an extreme form of ecological activism, targeting Boston’s most affluent suburbs.

Meanwhile, two other men become fatefully involved with Percy and Robert: Ira, a gay teacher at the preschool, and Celestino, a Guatemalan gardener who works for Percy’s neighbor, each one striving to overcome a sense of personal exile. Choices made by all four men, as well as by the women around them, collide forcefully on one lovely spring evening, upending everyone’s lives, but none more radically than Percy’s.

With equal parts affection and satire, Julia Glass spins a captivating tale about the loyalties, rivalries, and secrets of a very particular family. Yet again, she plumbs the human heart brilliantly, dramatically, and movingly....more

Community Reviews

I'm very bitter about this book: it got rave reviews for its touching character studies and perceptive social commentary, so I bought it and waited for a pleasant Friday evening to start reading. I made it through about six chapters and gave up, and I was PISSED. The main character is a 70-year-old man. He came to adulthood in the 50s, right? Here's how he talks to a salesgirl: "I'm having one of those -- what youngsters so blithely call 'a senior moment.' I thank you for your cordial assistanceI'm very bitter about this book: it got rave reviews for its touching character studies and perceptive social commentary, so I bought it and waited for a pleasant Friday evening to start reading. I made it through about six chapters and gave up, and I was PISSED. The main character is a 70-year-old man. He came to adulthood in the 50s, right? Here's how he talks to a salesgirl: "I'm having one of those -- what youngsters so blithely call 'a senior moment.' I thank you for your cordial assistance." Ms. Glass: he grew up during the 1950s, not the 1850s, am I right? In America? He should be talking like Don Draper, not Martin Chuzzlewit. I gritted my teeth and plowed on, but then the younger characters are introduced and THEY say things like "Negativo on the stress!" and "Think of it as a rad form of economic sanctions." So wait, they grew up in the late 70s? Doesn't this sort of fussy, anachronistic dialogue bother anyone else? ...more

Are you talking about the people whoElaine wrote: "The younger kids grew up in the 90's and 00's, not the 70's, so the dialogue isn't anachronistic."

Are you talking about the people who say "Negativo on the stress!" and "Think of it as a rad form of economic sanctions."? Because I grew up in the 90s, and I've certainly never heard anyone say anything like that. Neither anyone from my generation or, for that matter, my parents'. Nor co-workers who are a decade or two older than me. Nobody in modern America talks like that....more
Sep 16, 2014 08:57PM

Seeing other reviews (Jane's included), I am in the minority on this one. I remember liking "Three Junes" also by Glass, so I assumed I'd like this book. While the story was okay (about Percy a retired librarian, who allows his barn to be converted into a preschool, falls in love, and deals with various family issues) I was bogged down by the author's constant need to provide the background story on every character ever mentioned and every time they were mentioned. Two characters, Ira, one of thSeeing other reviews (Jane's included), I am in the minority on this one. I remember liking "Three Junes" also by Glass, so I assumed I'd like this book. While the story was okay (about Percy a retired librarian, who allows his barn to be converted into a preschool, falls in love, and deals with various family issues) I was bogged down by the author's constant need to provide the background story on every character ever mentioned and every time they were mentioned. Two characters, Ira, one of the preschool teachers, and Constantino, the neighbor's gardener, were given chapters of history. These were minor characters to me; they had little interaction with Percy, and I felt had little impact on the ending, so I was confused on the importance the author gave them. It seemed like they were just there just so she could discuss gay marriage and immigration issues. Which is another problem I had -- it seemed like there were too many "issues" going on, it lacked focus. Percy's two daughters were not part of the story as much in comparison, but were integral to his life. It seemed unbalanced. Glass is clearly talented, this book just didn't work for me....more

KarenTotally agree. There was not need to go into such detail on every character. Found myself losing interest in this book as I kept getting off track witTotally agree. There was not need to go into such detail on every character. Found myself losing interest in this book as I kept getting off track with the different story lines. Felt very choppy....more
Jun 14, 2013 10:55AM

GloriaIt was still work waiting for a story half way through
Jul 27, 2013 12:12PM

Her favorite story lines and more are all here. Perhaps there's too much going on in this book. At times it feels almost too topical. Let's see, Glass must have decided, I need to work in gay issues, immigration issues, ecoterrorism, cancer, and then revisit my most familiar issue - sibling rivalry.

For all that, this is still a book worth reading. Glass' work always is. She's a beautifully descriptive and witty writer. She likes her characters and makes us care about them too. (Well she was tooHer favorite story lines and more are all here. Perhaps there's too much going on in this book. At times it feels almost too topical. Let's see, Glass must have decided, I need to work in gay issues, immigration issues, ecoterrorism, cancer, and then revisit my most familiar issue - sibling rivalry.

For all that, this is still a book worth reading. Glass' work always is. She's a beautifully descriptive and witty writer. She likes her characters and makes us care about them too. (Well she was too sympathetic (through Robert) to Turo, the ecoterrorist.) Her characters have to deal with unwelcome change and suffer heartache, but Glass is not into misery. Her characters grow and, for the most part, see their way out of the dark.

The story is about a family and a village. Both are safe, upscale and a bit smug. But for all their embedded history, their careful upbringing and their fine education and ideals, they cannot keep out change and heartbreak. There's the progressive preschool on one end and, at the other end, there's Harvard. Neither guarantees immunity from actions that bring unhappiness.

As with multiple story lines, there are various points of view. The 70 year old widower tells his story in first person. Robert, his grandson's story, is told in third person as is Ira's story, a gay teacher at the preschool, and Celestino's, an illegal immigrant. Yes, there are women in the book, too. The 70 year old widow, who has mourned his dead wife for years, unexpectedly falls in love and becomes vulnerable again. He has two very different adult daughters. One a successful oncologist; one still a flower child who has much growing up to do. Glass weaves the story lines of all these people together very tightly and maybe too predictably; but I was satisfied with the ending.

I found the book a little slow going at first but, after the initial slow start, I didn't want to put the book down. Percy's dialogue, although very witty, seems too antiquated even for a retired librarian; and Glass seems to be straining too hard to capture a hip dialogue for Robert and for his friends. It's a fairly minor quibble. If we could give half stars, I might have given this book 3 1/2 stars. I didn't find it as wrenching as her "The Three Junes" or "I See You Everwhere." I still haven't decided where I would rank this book among the three I have read by Glass. Perhaps third. But I still liked it a lot and would not hesitate to recommend it....more

Glass is, quite simply, a wonderful writer, and her newest book “The Widower’s Tale” is a fantastic addition to her growing canon. In her elegant and intelligent, yet breezy and accessible prose, the author tells a multi-layered family story that centers around a seventy year old retired librarian. Percy Darling may be resigned to spend his retirement in a quietly vigorous manner, but the goings-on of his family and his own unexpected romantic feelings toward a local artist conspire to change thGlass is, quite simply, a wonderful writer, and her newest book “The Widower’s Tale” is a fantastic addition to her growing canon. In her elegant and intelligent, yet breezy and accessible prose, the author tells a multi-layered family story that centers around a seventy year old retired librarian. Percy Darling may be resigned to spend his retirement in a quietly vigorous manner, but the goings-on of his family and his own unexpected romantic feelings toward a local artist conspire to change the simple trajectory of his golden years. From an archeological dig in Guatemala to the hallowed halls of Harvard, Glass weaves a story that is funny, heart-breaking, touching, and always compelling.

Having lavished well-earned praise on the book, I have to say there is one thing that, for me, makes this a four star rather than a five star book – inconsistent narrative voice. In “Widower’s,” Glass volleys between first and third person narrative from chapter to chapter. Now, I’m a huge fan of varying perspective novels, but my hackles raise a bit when we, as readers, must pivot from first to third person. The reason I have such trouble with this device is not that I find it jarring (which it isn’t in this book), but because it seems as though the author WANTS to write a first person narrative, but cannot find a way to tell the reader about key events, thoughts, or actions to which the first person narrator cannot be privy due to his/her relationship with the dramatic action. In a nutshell, it feels that the author changes voice simply to hide facts from BOTH the reader and his/her main character, to make the first person narrator both a part of and apart from the action. This narrative equivalent of “having your cake and eating it too” seems to be a way of “cheating out” a story. Percy Darling, the eponymous widower, is such a wonderful character and such a lovely narrator that I wish Glass had trusted him to tell the entire story on his own (past or present tense) or simply let him be the primary focus in a novel with the astute Glass as an omniscient narrator. ...more

Joy H.Jeff, what a great review! I just finished writing my review of the same book but your review has such panache, as usual, and tells so much more.

I likJeff, what a great review! I just finished writing my review of the same book but your review has such panache, as usual, and tells so much more.

I like the fact that you agree with me about the switching of narrators. Not only that, but the author gives no warning when she makes the switches. For a few seconds one is disoriented, not a feeling I like.

I loved every word of this densely written, thought provoking, moving, sad, happy novel. Julia Glass never writes light fluff. She is the thinking person's novelist and creates characters who are complicated, flawed, good and bad, like most people! There are plots and subplots, main characters and supporting ones, but all are well drawn and elicit some form of empathy from the readers. The story is told from more than one perspective, but mostly from that of Percival Darling, the widowed (thoughI loved every word of this densely written, thought provoking, moving, sad, happy novel. Julia Glass never writes light fluff. She is the thinking person's novelist and creates characters who are complicated, flawed, good and bad, like most people! There are plots and subplots, main characters and supporting ones, but all are well drawn and elicit some form of empathy from the readers. The story is told from more than one perspective, but mostly from that of Percival Darling, the widowed (though not very old) patriarch of a New England family who raised his two daughters alone when his wife died long before the story begins. Now one daughter is a cancer doctor and the other is floundering, after losing her husband and children and failing at most things she started. But she has started a successful private preschool on the property of her father's big old home, which bring numerous characters into the fray---builders, gardeners, teachers, including the wonderful Ira, who is debating the merits of marrying his partner, Anthony. There is a sub plot of a radical group of Harvard students trying to go green but going to extreme, dangerous and illegal methods to prove their point. Percy's grandson, Robert, is one of those students, who decides (too late) that the group is too radical for him. There is a love story that grows between Percy and a younger woman who becomes ill and withdraws during her cancer treatment. We ache for her and for Percy who feels abandoned while she turns away from him. Lots of meaty story lines for you to enjoy and ponder! Julia Glass never lets me down....more

This was the first time I've read Julia Glass, and I was awed by her character development and stunning prose. I love books that make me think, "Oh, how I wish I could write like this!" Glass's characters are authentic. They deal with their own foibles, beliefs, hurts and carefully guarded self-perspectives as they also attempt to maintain sometimes-fragile family relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed observing the process of Percy's emergence from 30 years of living in the past to reach a futureThis was the first time I've read Julia Glass, and I was awed by her character development and stunning prose. I love books that make me think, "Oh, how I wish I could write like this!" Glass's characters are authentic. They deal with their own foibles, beliefs, hurts and carefully guarded self-perspectives as they also attempt to maintain sometimes-fragile family relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed observing the process of Percy's emergence from 30 years of living in the past to reach a future that, while imperfect and full of challenges, also offers a richness he never could have discovered by holding onto his old, narrow approach to life. In the end, the main characters still have numerous issues to address -- Percy is still Percy, of course, but a gentler, more open-hearted version of his old self, and Robert's long-term vocation remains in question -- but they've reached hopeful places. I also liked the fact that Glass doesn't clear up every character's problems by the end of the book. Percy's relationship with Clover, Celestino's relationship with Isabel and the status of Clover's fight to gain custody of her children remain unresolved. Because Glass created characters who are easy to care about, she left me wanting to know more about what happens in their lives beyond the closing page....more

I'm not suggesting that this would be a 5 star book to my friends, but I could fall in love with Percy if I were the woman I wish I were rather than the one I am. Maybe I just want to be like Percy. Percy is a 71 year old curmudgeon with a smart mouth (I can do that) and an off-beat sense of humor, who always has something to say which then prompts me to think, "Well said!" I would want Percy's astute memory, his artful vocabulary, his unique style. I would want to banter with Percy and have a wI'm not suggesting that this would be a 5 star book to my friends, but I could fall in love with Percy if I were the woman I wish I were rather than the one I am. Maybe I just want to be like Percy. Percy is a 71 year old curmudgeon with a smart mouth (I can do that) and an off-beat sense of humor, who always has something to say which then prompts me to think, "Well said!" I would want Percy's astute memory, his artful vocabulary, his unique style. I would want to banter with Percy and have a wit as quick as his. His grandson, however, the "good boy" Robert, does not have the courage of his convictions. He shows neither courage nor convictions as he is "stupid,"(Robert's well pled excuse) enough to be taken in by the convictions of others. Once again Percy shines in his response. He says to Robert, "And you will never argue with me when I am suffering a rare bout of optimism, or when I tell you what's good for you. My imagination, for the time being, will be the boss of yours." Well said, Percy. ...more

How I came to read this is kind of a funny story that isn't about the book at all.It was one of those days, when I needed a book. I went out to the choice reads shelf and found one that looked interesting but didn't pick it up. It was one of my typical quick-mystery books.When I didn't find anything else I wanted, I picked it up and headed to the checkout and checked it out.Except when I got home, I had The Widower's Tale in my bag. I thought maybe I'd picked up somebody else's book, but no, thiHow I came to read this is kind of a funny story that isn't about the book at all.It was one of those days, when I needed a book. I went out to the choice reads shelf and found one that looked interesting but didn't pick it up. It was one of my typical quick-mystery books.When I didn't find anything else I wanted, I picked it up and headed to the checkout and checked it out.Except when I got home, I had The Widower's Tale in my bag. I thought maybe I'd picked up somebody else's book, but no, this was the one I checked out. And I told my husband, this will probably be my favorite book.I don't know if it's my favorite book of all times, but I really liked it.It's about a family and a community struggling with the kinds of things families and communities struggle with. I loved the characters and I loved the beginning, middle and the end.I won't give away the plot for you.I recommend it!...more

The Widower's Tale is one of those books I closed wistfully, sad to say goodbye to all my new friends. The ensemble cast is headed by Percival Darling, a 70-year-old retired librarian from Harvard, and the widower of the title. At the start of the novel, he is confronted by drastic change in his life when he allows the barn adjacent to his historic Massachusetts home to be converted to a progressive pre-school. Meanwhile, he has to cope with two difficult daughters, a budding romance, and a granThe Widower's Tale is one of those books I closed wistfully, sad to say goodbye to all my new friends. The ensemble cast is headed by Percival Darling, a 70-year-old retired librarian from Harvard, and the widower of the title. At the start of the novel, he is confronted by drastic change in his life when he allows the barn adjacent to his historic Massachusetts home to be converted to a progressive pre-school. Meanwhile, he has to cope with two difficult daughters, a budding romance, and a grandson who (unbeknownst to the family) is involved with a group of eco-terrorists.

It's a good story with dramatic plot twists, but the characters are the appeal here. Percy's is a wonderful voice: an educated Luddite who wittily disapproves of most of what he sees around him in 21st century life. He has kept himself well defended since the tragic death of his wife, and the most satisfying part of the book is watching him grow and change as he is confronted with the human frailty of those he loves. And frail they all are, but only one of these characters is thoroughly unlikeable.

My only problem with the book is that I wish it were longer. Maybe we can convince Glass to do a sequel....more

LinaI, too, missed Percy when I finished it. I listened to the audiobook and had looked forward to Percy keeping me company on my drive to and from work.I, too, missed Percy when I finished it. I listened to the audiobook and had looked forward to Percy keeping me company on my drive to and from work. I would enjoy a sequel, just to catch up with all those wonderful characters....more
Jul 15, 2011 10:36AM

NinaGood review and gives enough details to make the book intriguing. I really don't like change of viewpoint but a very good writer can get away with itGood review and gives enough details to make the book intriguing. I really don't like change of viewpoint but a very good writer can get away with it and sounds like that is the case here....more
Jun 07, 2015 08:37AM

We read this for our book group, and everyone liked it, although some thought it started slowly, then they got hooked. It'd be a good companion read to Franzen's "Freedom," as it's a subtle exploration of the American conscience through individuals. It's sort of a "bomber crew" cast representing different aspects of transition in contemporary America (the immigrant, the single woman who adopted, the gay couple, the high profile woman professional who's tried to "have it all," the prosperous subuWe read this for our book group, and everyone liked it, although some thought it started slowly, then they got hooked. It'd be a good companion read to Franzen's "Freedom," as it's a subtle exploration of the American conscience through individuals. It's sort of a "bomber crew" cast representing different aspects of transition in contemporary America (the immigrant, the single woman who adopted, the gay couple, the high profile woman professional who's tried to "have it all," the prosperous suburbanites striving for soul), but that mere list doesn't do the book justice, since the characters each are well drawn, whole, their voices distinct and believable, especially those of "the widower," Percy, and his college-age grandson, Robert. My group found it interesting that a woman writer would choose to tell the story primarily, and successfully, through men's points of view. Maybe in some ways the ending is too tidy, too consoling, but I was absorbed in following the characters' paths as they criss-crossed, enjoying Percy's wry perspective and unexpected romance, and pondering the choices and consequences the book presents. ...more

This is my first Julia Glass novel. I went into it with no expectations one way or the other and, I admit, I wasn’t too sure at first. For me, a good read is one which has me thinking about the characters and/or their situations at odd moments during the course of my day. This didn’t happen until I was well into the story, but happen it did. The characters are well-drawn, interesting, and real individuals. Percy, the protagonist is a retired Harvard librarian and has the pedantic nature and dryThis is my first Julia Glass novel. I went into it with no expectations one way or the other and, I admit, I wasn’t too sure at first. For me, a good read is one which has me thinking about the characters and/or their situations at odd moments during the course of my day. This didn’t happen until I was well into the story, but happen it did. The characters are well-drawn, interesting, and real individuals. Percy, the protagonist is a retired Harvard librarian and has the pedantic nature and dry wit one would expect from a man with such a calling. His daughters both show the effects their mother’s early, tragic death has had on their lives, each in her own unique way. There are probably too many themes here – family, forgiveness, death, life, choices, sexuality, aging, health insurance, and more, but that’s life, right? We’re never given one thing at a time to deal with - it’s always something coming at you from every direction. According to those criteria then, I must give this book credit for realism, too. I look forward to reading more from Julia Glass....more

If you want to read a book that covers every political, environmental and social issue of the day then this is the book for you. Definitely my pet peeve when reading a book is to have the author use her characters to cram her political views down your throat. This book had everything from eco-terrorism to single mothers adopting, gay marriage to cancer, and immigration laws to urbanization of the countryside...YIKES and there is more!!! Not a book I would recommend unless you want to know how JuIf you want to read a book that covers every political, environmental and social issue of the day then this is the book for you. Definitely my pet peeve when reading a book is to have the author use her characters to cram her political views down your throat. This book had everything from eco-terrorism to single mothers adopting, gay marriage to cancer, and immigration laws to urbanization of the countryside...YIKES and there is more!!! Not a book I would recommend unless you want to know how Julia Glass, the author, feels about current issues. ...more

When my eyes scanned the first paragraph and lingered on, "...I read in our weekly town paper about the first of what I would so blithely come to call the Crusades....I can also say for certain, Because Elves & Fairies were scheduled.... " I began to question having hastily grabbed this book from the library new book table. Fortunately, I decided to read more before casting it aside.

This is a wonderful tale of someone slightly older than I, his marriage and loss of it, his children and grandWhen my eyes scanned the first paragraph and lingered on, "...I read in our weekly town paper about the first of what I would so blithely come to call the Crusades....I can also say for certain, Because Elves & Fairies were scheduled.... " I began to question having hastily grabbed this book from the library new book table. Fortunately, I decided to read more before casting it aside.

This is a wonderful tale of someone slightly older than I, his marriage and loss of it, his children and grandchildren and a mixture of local and not-so-local folk of all those ages whose lives become entangled in surprising ways. Joy, tragedy and foolishness are mixed in portions not unlike those of life. The dangers of both flexibility and lack of it are explored.

My one complaint about this book is that once I was into it, it kept me awake at night and busy during the day. I did not nibble, I gorged. The author's clever references to earlier eras and up-to-date insertions of society's issues added to my pleasure. It will be a book that soon is dated, but that may tarnish only some of its luster....more

I love Julia Glass. I love her because her writing style is so smooth and perceptive that sometimes I forget that I am reading. It feels more like someone is sitting with me and telling me about some really interesting people they know and I get completely sucked into the story and don't want it to end. In this book, Glass tells us about the tragedy(s) that befell the Darling family at their quaint New England home. Lots of the story is told in a first person narrative by Percy Darling who has sI love Julia Glass. I love her because her writing style is so smooth and perceptive that sometimes I forget that I am reading. It feels more like someone is sitting with me and telling me about some really interesting people they know and I get completely sucked into the story and don't want it to end. In this book, Glass tells us about the tragedy(s) that befell the Darling family at their quaint New England home. Lots of the story is told in a first person narrative by Percy Darling who has spent most of his middle age coming to grips with the loss of his wife and the mother of his two daughters. The chapters not told by Percy deal with other family members and people who are close to Percy because of his decision to let a daycare be run out of his barn. At times the story lines swing wide and there is maybe a bit too much to keep track of. Though ever artful, Glass brings all of the lines back together and they flow out the last chapter. There is no tidy ending just like in real life. But there are lots of comeuppances to compensate for the lack of happily ever afters. ...more

Julia Glass gifts her readers with a stunning tale, a tale that encompasses multigenerational relationships, love and self-forgiveness, family loyalty and betrayal, the meaning of parenthood, and the intricate web of human connections.

Percy Darling – a 70-year-old retired librarian with an offbeat wit and courtly manners – is at the vortex of this novel, the only character that narrates from the first-person perspective. He has spent years in self-afflicted soltitude following the senseless andJulia Glass gifts her readers with a stunning tale, a tale that encompasses multigenerational relationships, love and self-forgiveness, family loyalty and betrayal, the meaning of parenthood, and the intricate web of human connections.

Percy Darling – a 70-year-old retired librarian with an offbeat wit and courtly manners – is at the vortex of this novel, the only character that narrates from the first-person perspective. He has spent years in self-afflicted soltitude following the senseless and inadvertent death of his wife three decades earlier. After making an uncharacteristic choice – allowing his barn to become a preschool to help his rootless older daughter – his solitary life becomes dramatically transformed.

Gradually, this trustafarian finds his world turned upside down as he falls for a younger woman with a young adopted son while purchasing the first swimsuit he has owned since college – laden with pink pineapples. A sudden complication in that relationship will emotionally test him in ways that he would never have dreamt possible. To add insult to injury, his beloved grandson, Robert – a Harvard pre-med student – becomes involved in an eco-activism movement that will have dire consequences.

The characters that Julia Glass creates – including a Guatemalan landscaper, a gay preschool teacher, and Percy Darling’s two very opposite daughters – come alive so eloquently that they could literally walk off the pages. This book examines not only one’s responsibility to oneself, but to one’s family and to society at large by shining its laser beam onto the haves-and-have-nots in affluent New England and the costs and rewards of opening up to others.

I loved this richly-layered and beautifully-rendered book. I cared about the very original cast of characters and the emotional and social issues they confront. Kudos to Ms. Glass for a totally absorbing read!...more

In The Widower's Tale, Glass continues to explore the intricate ties of family and friendship that have become her trademark. Some critics felt the novel was just as evocative, timely, and emotionally gratifying as Three Junes, and they enjoyed the novel's different voices and timely issues. Others, however, couldn't get past the inauthentic dialogue and overuse of clichés, such as the droll gay couple who also love whipping up gourmet cuisine. Additionally, several reviewers felt overwhelmed byIn The Widower's Tale, Glass continues to explore the intricate ties of family and friendship that have become her trademark. Some critics felt the novel was just as evocative, timely, and emotionally gratifying as Three Junes, and they enjoyed the novel's different voices and timely issues. Others, however, couldn't get past the inauthentic dialogue and overuse of clichés, such as the droll gay couple who also love whipping up gourmet cuisine. Additionally, several reviewers felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues introduced, from health insurance and gay rights to illegal immigration and ecoterrorism, and felt that Glass may have better succeeded at examining just a few of these more deeply. To sum it up, perhaps a trip to the public library may be a less risky venture than a hardcover purchase. This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine....more

I wanted a light read, a good story but I'm sorry to say this was a disappointment. Started out great but the characters became so convoluted that it became a nuisance to read. I previously tried another book by this author and was disappointed so I guess she is just not for me.

Three voices in this novel: one a widower (hence, the title), a medical student and an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. The loudest of course is the widower's, who is also a dad to two grown-up daughters and a grandfather to three, one of whom is the medical student.

I did not rush through the book. Reading it is like eating a huge piece of cake which one has to eat slowly to be able to finish. It satisfies.

What I like about it the most is the style of writing - grandiose, smart, verbose fromThree voices in this novel: one a widower (hence, the title), a medical student and an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. The loudest of course is the widower's, who is also a dad to two grown-up daughters and a grandfather to three, one of whom is the medical student.

I did not rush through the book. Reading it is like eating a huge piece of cake which one has to eat slowly to be able to finish. It satisfies.

What I like about it the most is the style of writing - grandiose, smart, verbose from the widower's point of view; colloquial, young and easy when it is the young man's turn to tell his story; and simple, shy and cautious in Celestino's voice.

The family is dysfunctional as any other family, but you feel the love and the caring of its members. You feel the normalcy and you are reminded of your own family with the squabbles, the withheld emotions of long time ago that define each person.

The climax was not a surprise but when it finally happened, it made a strong impression on me, making me feel the sorrow and the regrets that the characters felt. It made me cry, but softly....more

Julia Glass is one of my favorite authors. It's always with a bit of trepidation that I read new books from old favorites. The mysterious combination of my too-high hopes and the lower standard known authors must meet to be published often ends with disappointment.

But not this time. I wouldn't say The Widower's Tale was Glass' best novel - she'll be hard pressed to outdo The Whole World Over, in my eyes - but I enjoyed every minute of this read.

The plot is not something that I would have thoughtJulia Glass is one of my favorite authors. It's always with a bit of trepidation that I read new books from old favorites. The mysterious combination of my too-high hopes and the lower standard known authors must meet to be published often ends with disappointment.

But not this time. I wouldn't say The Widower's Tale was Glass' best novel - she'll be hard pressed to outdo The Whole World Over, in my eyes - but I enjoyed every minute of this read.

The plot is not something that I would have thought would appeal to me and I was surprised to find myself so interested when the four POV characters were all men, none of whom I have much in common with (the old widower, the Harvard boy, the gay teacher, the undocumented day laborer). But Glass' strength is in creating characters that are so three-dimensional with complicated, unique histories that make them come alive and make you root for them.

The plot doesn't matter. This is character-driven fiction about family dynamics and community inter-connection. If, like me, you like being lost in the believable lives of imaginary people, you'll enjoy this book. ...more

Julia Glass really crammed a lot into this book: same-sex marriage, immigration, eco-terrorism, cancer, and health insurance being just a few. For the most part it works, but this book also feels ready to burst at the seams with so many themes.

Percy Glass is a recently retired university librarian with some old-fashioned ideals and a razor-sharp wit. (Although this book is populated almost entirely by American characters, Percy has a decidedly British air.) His wife died tragically when their dJulia Glass really crammed a lot into this book: same-sex marriage, immigration, eco-terrorism, cancer, and health insurance being just a few. For the most part it works, but this book also feels ready to burst at the seams with so many themes.

Percy Glass is a recently retired university librarian with some old-fashioned ideals and a razor-sharp wit. (Although this book is populated almost entirely by American characters, Percy has a decidedly British air.) His wife died tragically when their daughters were fairly young. Since then, they've grown into completely different women: one flighty and irresponsible, the other serious and a bit cold. (Having recently watched an episode of Modern Family where Claire and Phil see an older version of their own family, I couldn't help but think how much Clover and Trudy are like older versions of Hailey and Alex.) There is definitely some sibling rivalry going on here, which seems to be a favorite theme of Glass's.

Percy has agreed to rent his old barn, formerly his wife's dance studio, to the local preschool, and thus, the quiet retirement he'd planned becomes something else entirely. This story, as the title indicates, is primarily Percy's, with alternating chapters being told from his first-person p.o.v. The other chapters are told in third-person omniscient, focusing on three younger men.

Ira, a teacher at the aforementioned preschool, was "let go" from his last position because of his homosexuality. So, he's understandably reluctant to open up to his new co-workers and his students' parents. I found him to be a likeable character, although the first mentions of him were a little off-putting.

Celestino is an illegal immigrant who works as a gardener in Percy's upscale little town. His back story is a bit unusual; an attempt to show another side to immigration issues. I felt like he dropped out of the story for a while and popped back up when it was convenient, but he also was a likeable character.

Robert is Percy's oldest grandchild, the son of the uptight daughter. He's a college student, but Glass's attempts at writing young adult dialogue made me cringe at times. Robert is young and stupid. He makes a lot of dumb choices, but he does learn from them and definitely has some redeeming qualities.

Glass orchestrates a world in which these very different characters' lives intersect repeatedly. There's also a large supporting cast: Percy's son-in-law and former son-in-law, a snobby divorcee next door, a single mom whose son attends the preschool, a famous French architect whose wife runs the preschool, Ira's partner who is known as a vicious divorce lawyer, Celestino's obnoxious boss, Robert's girlfriend, and his roommate (quite a piece of work). I didn't really warm to any of these characters, some of whom play much more substantial roles in the story than others, but all of whom are crucial to Glass's intricate plot.

My previous experience with Glass's writing was Three Junes. In comparison, I'd say this one has better plotting, but lacks some of the character warmth. ...more

Julia Glass’ new novel The Widower’s Year seems to borrow from half a dozen other great writers in a mostly flattering way. What emerges is a meandering pastiche that is both comfortably placating and yet still interesting enough to hold a reader, even if it’s not as cathartic as some of her other works. This book gets mired in too many plots, but still, the author’s balancing act is an amazing feat when you consider all the small things that could’ve gone wrong.

In the fictional and WASP-y smallJulia Glass’ new novel The Widower’s Year seems to borrow from half a dozen other great writers in a mostly flattering way. What emerges is a meandering pastiche that is both comfortably placating and yet still interesting enough to hold a reader, even if it’s not as cathartic as some of her other works. This book gets mired in too many plots, but still, the author’s balancing act is an amazing feat when you consider all the small things that could’ve gone wrong.

In the fictional and WASP-y small town of Matlock, Massachusetts lives Percival Darling, a retired Harvard librarian. Immediately, his name calls to mind Noel Coward plays, and the man is sharp-tongued enough to be in one. But also, the curmudgeon and his environment call to mind playwright Edward Albee and novelist John Irving. In fact, fuddy-duddy Percy is the main voice of the novel; though he was raised in the 50s and 60s, he often sounds like the Narrator from Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, saying things like, “What in tarnation!” while warming up tea, reading James Joyce, and stoking fireplaces. His fumbling use of a cell phone and email seem in odd juxtaposition with his early-1900s views of the world.

Percy lost his wife when his two daughters were teenagers; it’s an event that still haunts the old badger. So, it’s a shock that Percy’s older daughter, Clover, somehow convinces Dad to turn over the old barn on his property for a new preschool the aimless Clover loves to teach at. She’s abandoned her own kids in New York City, afraid that her husband might be gay.

Not that Clover has a problem with gays; one of her friends is a gay teacher named Ira. He was raised by understanding parents but thrust into a world where others don’t deal with his sexuality well. The character of Ira is the second male who Glass speaks through. He’s building a tree house for the children of the school, erecting it on a stately old beech with permission of crusty Percy Darling.

Helping Ira are the other two male narrators of the book. Robert and Celestine. Robert is Percy’s grandson from his younger daughter, Trudy. Trudy is a nationally renowned breast cancer expert; her son is a gullible but earnest Harvard student wrapped up in a panic over the world’s ecological crisis.

Celestine is a gardener from Guatemala, a one-time foreign exchange student whose passions threatened his search for a better life. Now he struggles as an illegal alien doing day labor to survive.

It’s a complicated web of people with four male voices. Glass has a specific talent for the masculine, as she proved in her Pulitzer Prize winner Three Junes. Most of the time, she creates unique character through voice (though her young Robert sounds too much like the author trying to appear hip.)

The complexity throughout the book, though, becomes a little too much like a soap opera. The combined issues of damaged families, single motherhood, illegal immigration, and ecological activism may call to mind a novel from last year, Jonathan Franzen’s critically acclaimed Freedom. Glass, however, is gentler and smaller than Franzen, refusing to beat readers over the head with her ideas, keeping her story localized instead of national.

Overall, The Widower’s Year is a pleasant enough amble, and Glass has great fun with Percy’s anachronistic voice and rich, Massachusetts accent. However, when Percy meets a love interest, and she – a single mom - gets breast cancer, things start to topple from too many tangents. On top of that, Ira struggles to reconcile his homosexuality, wondering if he should commit to marrying his partner. Meanwhile, Robert gets sucked into criminal activism with his roommate Arturo (a rich foreign exchange student). Finally, Celestine tries to correct mistakes of his past. No matter how good Glass is as a writer, all these convolutions might give you a “wicked whopper of a headache,” as Percival might say....more

I hated for this book to end as I had become really involved with many of the characters. And there are lots of characters, but it wasn't difficult to keep them straight. Julia Glass' gift for characterization (and beautiful writing) is just splendid. The curmudgeony protagonist is by far the most wonderful voice; humorous, wry, sarcastic, clever. His voice dominates the story, but there are three others that we hear; his beloved grandson Robert (a premed student at Harvard), Guatamelan immigranI hated for this book to end as I had become really involved with many of the characters. And there are lots of characters, but it wasn't difficult to keep them straight. Julia Glass' gift for characterization (and beautiful writing) is just splendid. The curmudgeony protagonist is by far the most wonderful voice; humorous, wry, sarcastic, clever. His voice dominates the story, but there are three others that we hear; his beloved grandson Robert (a premed student at Harvard), Guatamelan immigrant Celestino (an undocumented gardener/day worker), and preschool teacher Ira (whose gay relationship with a divorce lawyer is interestingly woven into the story). I listened to much (though not all) of this, and the aristocratic lilt that the reader gave to Percy's voice put me off at first. However, as I got to know Percy, it didn't matter. The other three voices were not in this accent, and after awhile I liked the way I could tell the speaker by the way it was read. True, all sorts of socially conscious themes were introduced, but that didn't bother me at all, the story was relevant and interesting. So was the setting, so close to the places that I grew up and still love - the Boston area. I could picture the whole book clearly. Great writing, great story-telling....more

Drawn to this novel because of the author, I was quickly reminded why I admire Julia Glass' writing. Like the pilgrims in "The Canterbury Tales," the reader meets a range of characters here on life's journey. Many are from privileged backgrounds, many focused on doing good in this world, and then, there are those struggling with relationships, with their life's work. The widower has the most to teach the reader - when to push, when to let go - within his relationships. A bright, articulate man,Drawn to this novel because of the author, I was quickly reminded why I admire Julia Glass' writing. Like the pilgrims in "The Canterbury Tales," the reader meets a range of characters here on life's journey. Many are from privileged backgrounds, many focused on doing good in this world, and then, there are those struggling with relationships, with their life's work. The widower has the most to teach the reader - when to push, when to let go - within his relationships. A bright, articulate man, retired from Harvard's Widener Library, his perspective on the world and dry humor are reflected in memorable comments that often made me laugh out loud (high praise indeed.)Tension is built skillfully around the choices made by several characters. I never anticipated the specific "incident" that brought down several of the characters. Glass uses this, in true Chaucer style, to allow them to reach a higher place on the road to redemption.Finally, Julia Glass' insights into our thinking often delight me. For example, the widower shares with his dear friend, "I suspect we married our wives for the same reason,...or have I mentioned this theory before?...Camouflage...We risk invisibility without a colorful, earthy woman tethering us to the here and now...the practicalities and limitations."...more

I struggled through the first part of this book and decided several times to stop the torture. But I was reading it for a book club, so I kept going because I wanted to participate in the discussion. Then, about half way through I began to develop an interest in a couple of the story lines; but once again before I finished the book I lost interest and started skimming through some of the paragraphs.

The central character in the book is a 70 year old widower named Percy and all of the other charaI struggled through the first part of this book and decided several times to stop the torture. But I was reading it for a book club, so I kept going because I wanted to participate in the discussion. Then, about half way through I began to develop an interest in a couple of the story lines; but once again before I finished the book I lost interest and started skimming through some of the paragraphs.

The central character in the book is a 70 year old widower named Percy and all of the other characters relate to him in some way. Through the other characters we are introduced to contemporary social issues such as illegal immigration, environmental concerns, homosexuality, and problems of health care costs as well as the problems caused by sibling rivalry. I believe any author would have been challenged trying to tie all of this together into a thoroughly interesting book.

The organizational style of the book is different - actually a little odd in my opinion. It starts out as a first person account told by Percy, then suddenly (and without warning) switches back and forth between Percy and a third person episodes about an illegal immigrant gardener, a gay school teacher, and Percy's grandson who is drawn into being a part of environmental protests. This organizational style of the book initially gave me some concern but I eventually was able to go with the flow. I am not sure whether my initial feelings of discomfort were the sign of poor writing or an inflexible reader.

Finally, I periodically had some concerns as I read the book that the story line in it paused ever so often to allow the author to insert an infomercial letting us know her point of view about the political hot buttons listed above.

P.S. I wish someone would explain the cover of the book to me – who is the young man gazing skyward, what is he looking at, and what does this have to do with the stories in the book?

My feelings about this book changed as I read it. At the beginning, I was disappointed. I knew what I had been getting into when I started the book--a nice tome about middle class New England white people and the people around them. In the beginning, I wasn't as captivated by it as other similar books I'd read (see: "The Condition", for one). By the end, though, I was enjoying getting into bed at night and falling into the characters' worlds, and I was sorry to leave their presence. The book wasMy feelings about this book changed as I read it. At the beginning, I was disappointed. I knew what I had been getting into when I started the book--a nice tome about middle class New England white people and the people around them. In the beginning, I wasn't as captivated by it as other similar books I'd read (see: "The Condition", for one). By the end, though, I was enjoying getting into bed at night and falling into the characters' worlds, and I was sorry to leave their presence. The book was about four men--an elderly white retired librarian, his grandson, a local Guatemalan gardener, and a gay preschool teacher--and their various relationships. The major problem with the book is that the relationships didn't seem to come together for me: there was no thematic (or otherwise) reason I could see for the book to spend time on all of them. They moved in the same circles and their actions had impacts on the others, but that was all. Perhaps there doesn't have to be some grand reason behind putting multiple characters' stories together, but it did give the book a random-snapshot feeling, with random being the key term....more

Great characters, great writing but I did find there to be one too many 'hot button' topics which made the entire book feel a little stretched. I'd have preferred to stay with Percy for the duration---especially since his was the only first person narration. As such, the other characters (in their 3rd person vantage) felt further away from....my heart?

Ending felt sad and sham-like. Where is justice for Turo?

Looking forward to reading more Julia Glass, as she's one of those writers who can easiGreat characters, great writing but I did find there to be one too many 'hot button' topics which made the entire book feel a little stretched. I'd have preferred to stay with Percy for the duration---especially since his was the only first person narration. As such, the other characters (in their 3rd person vantage) felt further away from....my heart?

Ending felt sad and sham-like. Where is justice for Turo?

Looking forward to reading more Julia Glass, as she's one of those writers who can easily make you feel like you've just gained five new friends....more

Very compelling book, surprisingly so. The protagonist is a 70 year old widower, widowed 30 years prior, and his re-emergence into love and community.

This book has a structure I may not have noticed in any book before. Many books now switch from character to character's viewpoint throughout the book. In this book only the widower's story is told in first person. All other characters are told from 3rd person omniscient point of view.

There is strong foreboding throughout the book that plays out ovVery compelling book, surprisingly so. The protagonist is a 70 year old widower, widowed 30 years prior, and his re-emergence into love and community.

This book has a structure I may not have noticed in any book before. Many books now switch from character to character's viewpoint throughout the book. In this book only the widower's story is told in first person. All other characters are told from 3rd person omniscient point of view.

There is strong foreboding throughout the book that plays out over time. Not as horribly foretold as in The Magus, but still strong. It is not till the end of the book that the reader learns the outcome of those forebodings.

Strong book about family and extended family-friends. I remember liking her other books but my subjective judgment without reviewing them is that this is the best.

A-ha! Just noticed. The story of the college age and young adult people in this story will resonate to folks who saw The Social Network. ...more

Julia Glass is the author of Three Junes, which won the 2002 National Book Award for Fiction, and The Whole World Over. She has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Her short fiction has won several prizes, including the Tobias Wolff Award and the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society MedaJulia Glass is the author of Three Junes, which won the 2002 National Book Award for Fiction, and The Whole World Over. She has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Her short fiction has won several prizes, including the Tobias Wolff Award and the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society Medal for the Best Novella. She lives with her family in Massachusetts.

“Well, yes, there were quite a lot of books throughout, tumbling out of haphazardly placed bookshelves, stacked beneath chairs, beside beds, even in the bottoms of a closet or two. But I was never a "collector." My love of books is a love of what they contain; they hold knowledge as a pitcher holds water, as a dress contains the mystery of a woman's exquisite body. Their physicality matters--do not speak to me of storing books as bytes!--but they should not inspire fetishistic devotion.”
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